Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
The annual Triunfu celebration staged by Società SS. Crocifisso & San Giovanni Bosco di Ciminna dates back two centuries, when a mid-December procession bearing the Madonna del Triunfu from Palermo to Ciminna arrived later than expected.
“They were supposed to arrive at 6 p.m., but they didn’t make it into town until 1 a.m.,” local Ciminnese legend Tony Napoli explains. “They had been eating and drinking along the way, so they were happy and dancing.”
That tradition will be re-enacted at Casa Italia this December and, as always, longtime president Frank Faraci will be there to make sure the event goes off without a hitch.
“We are very blessed to have had this opportunity to carry the traditions from a small town in Sicily to Chicago,” Faraci says. “We just want to continue doing the traditions we’ve done. We’ve got some years under our belt and I hope that we’re doing this 50 years from now.”
The society’s two namesakes are a testament to the ability of people of a shared faith and heritage to work for the greater good, Faraci says.
Chicago-area Ciminnesi were first brought together in 1960 under the name of San Giovanni Bosco, a saint with a deeply personal significance to Napoli.
In 1995, a near-death experience inspired fellow Ciminnese Filippo Nigliaccio to rally the community around SS. Crocifisso, in honor of the deep connection he and his paesani have to a revered statue in their ancestral hometown.
After years of operating separately, the two societies united in 2017. Faraci, who was president at the time of the society formed in honor of SS. Crocifisso, had the honor of overseeing the unification and presiding over the new organization.
“Everyone involved in unifying our two societies were thinking of the future and having our beautiful traditions and heritage flourish with the next generations,” Faraci says.
Assisting Faraci in leading Società SS. Crocifisso & San Giovanni Bosco di Ciminna today are Vice President Vince Gambino, Secretary Lia Bucaro, Treasurer Rob Lappano, Recording Secretary Mario Cinardi, Advisors Frank Russo and Franco Fellino, Marshals Phil Cassata Sal Camastra, Communication and Promotion Directors Joe Gambino and Filippo Cassata, Marketing Directors Anna Rizzo and Margaret Perrotta, Feast Chairman Joseph Faraci; and Presidents Emeritus Filippo Nigliaccio, Tony Napoli and Franco Cassata
The society hosts a dinner dance in March in addition to a combined patron saints celebration in June and the Triunfu in December.
Faraci got his start with Società San Giovanni Bosco di Ciminna in 1985 when he was a high school sophomore. He was one of the many strong young men in the community tasked carrying the one-ton vara, or throne, on which the statue of the patron saint was showcased during the society’s annual festa.
As it has been for decades, it remains the job of the younger generation to now carry a pair of varas enthroning San Giovanni and SS. Crocifisso.
“We need around 50 to 60 guys for the procession to be grand,” Faraci says.
Società SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna was created in 1997 and seven years later, Faraci was elected president.
“I’m 57 now, I’m not in the younger generation any longer,” Faraci says. “My son and my cousin’s kids, they are the ones taking it to the next level.”
Faraci has seen his share of joy and sorrow during his long involvement with the societies. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Gulotta, in 1993. The couple raised their son, Joseph, and daughter, Francesca, until Mary lost her battle with cancer in 2013. A measure of happiness returned to his life in 2023, when he married MaryBeth Roeters. Through it all, the societies have been a source of encouragement and support, he says.
According to Faraci, several priests have been of tremendous help to him over the years, both personally and as president of the society. They include Fr. John Smith and Sr. Cathy Ryan of Maryville Academy and Fr. Esequiel Sanchez of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who welcomed his celebration with open arms; Fr. Giovanni Bizzotto and Fr. Leandro Fossá of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church; and Fr. John Belmonte, who has celebrated the Mass at the festa for nearly three decades.
“I’m so grateful to them for their support, guidance and friendship,” Faraci says. “I’m also grateful to my uncles, Phil Nigliaccio and Fred Scimeca, for the role they played in the creation of the Crocifisso society, and to my Uncle Phil, Domenic Gambino, Tony Napoli and the leaders of the San Giovanni Bosco society, for working hand in hand with us to bring the two societies together.”
Faraci encourages anyone whose parents or grandparents were Italian immigrants to join the group.
“It doesn’t matter if you are from our town or a different town, we welcome you,” Faraci says. “We’re looking for anyone who is interested in what we do.”
For more, call Faraci at 847-909-5805.
